#TALLSHIPS – The Italian Navy's full-rigged training ship, Amerigo Vespucci, made a lunchtime arrival to Dublin Port today, where she then proceeded to make an impressive entrance through the East-Link bridge, in order to reach her 'Docklands' berth, writes Jehan Ashmore.

She had earlier appeared on the horizon south of the Kish Bank Lighthouse and what makes her easy to recognise is her distinctive hull livery. Unlike most white-painted tallships, the three-masted ship sports striking black and white hull, with each strip marking one of her three decks. Standing above these decks are her rigging, where her masts tower above the seas and at a height of nearly 63 metres.

Prior to her arrival, another naval sail training ship, the barque Cuauhtemoc, of the Mexican Navy docked into the capital having made a late morning call. A week ago she became the first over the finishing line off the Tuskar Rock, marking the final leg of the race from Spain.

Looking particularly smart, the vessel was 'dressed overall' upon her arrival with a large Mexican flag flying proudly at the stern. She too passed through the East-Link bridge and like Amerigo Vespucci, is moored alongside Sir John Rogersons Quay.

Astern of her was the UK flagged gaff ketch Maybe which has been in Howth Harbour in recent days. She berthed opposite the Cuauhtemoc at North Wall Quay.

A  total of nine Tall Ships will have free access to the public at different times over the weekend, available on a first come first served basis.

In regards to the Amerigo Vespucci, she will be open today, from 3pm to 7pm, and tomorrow from 10.30am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm. On Saturday the times are from 10.30am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm.

Opening hours for the Cuauhtemoc, will be open till 7pm today, and from 10am till 11pm tomorrow and Saturday. For the full list of vessels and respective opening hours visit www.dublintallships.ie/fleet/

A notable festival highlight, is the 'Crew Parade' which is on tomorrow (Friday) between 3-4pm. Crews from around the world will march from the North Wall Quay and finish at the Custom House for a special prize giving ceremony.

Bryan Ferry one of the UK's most influential pop artists of the last four decades, has been announced as the headline act for the opening night of the Waterford Tall Ships Races, one of the biggest sailing event of the year, which takes place on 30 June, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Looking ahead to the Waterford show, Bryan Ferry said,' I am delighted to be returning to perform in Ireland following Roxy Music's performance at
Electric Picnic last year'.

Ferry will perform on the festival's main stage at Bolton Street. On the same site of the following night, The Waterboys will be supported by Waterford's O Emperor. While on the 2 July the headline act will be the Sharon Shannon Show with special guests Damien Dempsey and Dessie O'Halloran.

The four-day maritime spectacle which runs to 3 July is set to host over 70 tallships, over 1,500 trainee sailors and an anticipated 500,000 visitors that are to throng the 'Noblest Quays in Europe' with the countdown to the festival edging closer to just 100 days.

Billed as the largest Irish festival event in 2011, the return of the Tall Ships for the second time to Ireland's oldest city, presents young Irish people to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to set sail onboard a tall-ship.

The opportunity is open to those aged 16 or over by June 30, 2011 and are fit and active to be a trainee on the inaugural race leg from Waterford to Greenock (departing 3 July). For further information click here.

The festival is not just eagerly awaited by fans of all things maritime and musical but with a programme that is also to feature street theatre, culinary and craftwork 'villages' and firework displays.

Renowned street theatre company 'Spraoi' have commissioned almost 20 national and international street performance acts. In addition the award-winning illusionist, Keith Barry will perform another specially-commissioned piece at the launch on the afternoon of 30 June.

On the nautical front, highlights include the 'Crew Parade' on 1 July and ultimately culminating with the 'Parade of Sail' by the international fleet on 3 July. Asides the city quayside on the River Suir the Waterford estuary provides excellent viewing points, some at elevated sites.

Looking for further reading on Tall Ships in Ireland? Click the links below:

Click this link to read all our Tall Ships Stories on one handy page

Previewing Ireland's Tall Ships 2011 Season

Can Ireland Get a New Tall Ship?